“Then the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.’” (Luke 14:23)
What is interesting about this verse is that those who seem to be the most degraded have already entered the room (cf. vs. 21-22). Yet Jesus instructs that there are other sinners that need to be invited. Upon those highways and by those hedges is still another class of sinners. It is to these that we must go and reach for the cause of Christ. These are the ones that we need to “snatch as a brand from the burning.” Bishop Ryle continues, “The meaning of these words can admit of little dispute. They surely justify us in asserting the exceeding love and compassion of God toward sinners. His longsuffering is inexhaustible. . .His pity for the lost is no feigned and imaginary thing. He is infinitely willing to save souls. . .We must press the Gospel on his notice again and again. We must cry aloud and spare not. We must deal with him as with a man about to commit suicide. . .We must say, – I cannot,–I will not, – I dare not let you go ruining your own soul.” (Expository Thoughts on Luke, vol. 2, Ryle, p. 162)
“And it happened that as He was reclining at the table in the house, behold many tax-gatherers and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, ‘Why is your Teacher eating with tax-gatherers and sinners?’ But when He heard this, He said, ‘It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means, “I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,” for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’î (Matthew 9:10-13)
To the comfortable ministries of life most Christians gravitate. It is in our very natures to seek out those most like ourselves. The entire church growth movement is grounded in such a principle.
Yet Jesus shows us another way – and it is this way that CrossWind has chosen to follow. He speaks of a sickness of the soul -a “deforming, weakening, disquieting, wasting, killing” (The Matthew Henry Commentary, One Volume Edition, Henry, p. 1246) sickness. Jesus is the Great Physician for that sickness! Thus, the illness is not incurable even though it is a most grave one. It is His great business to be among great sinners! “The more dangerous the sick man’s case is, the more occasion there is for a physician.” (Ibid.) Christ came into world to save sinners and especially the chief.” (I Timothy 1:15)
And, we are to learn from Him so that we may do the same! Man, pray for us as we take Jesus’ Good News to those places where few others want to go – those highways are long, and those hedges are thick.
Say, you might be thinking that this CrossWind thing is for you, too. Well, that’s great, man! Jus’ carefully consider and pray over it. Hey, we’re not going to try to talk you into this deal ’cause Sojourning’s tough- it’s not for the “flash-in-the-pan,” part-time ministerette. No willy-nilly, weak-kneed, faint-hearted, semi-committed types need apply!!! This is no plastic Jesus game for us, man! It’s deadly serious business, and numbers ain’t what we’re about.
CrossWind’s a MINISTRY, and calling and commitment, brotherhood and accountability, and equipping and evangelism are the foundations upon which it rests. It’ll require dedication and perseverance, but hang and ride with us long enough, and who knows? Could be the Lord’ll get you by the throat and send you our way. Maybe, just maybe, it’ll be something that you have to do or you’ll die! Hey, if that’s the burn in your soul, then you might jus’ be CrossWind stuff!!!
So, why don’t you saddle up and come run with us for awhile – you know, participate with us, be with us, do what we do -see who we are and how we operate. Plus,we gotta get to know you, too, man! Then, somewhere down the road, well, we’ll both know if this thing’s a fit or not – just got to trust in Him and lean not to our own understandings, right?
Be blessed in His grace and peace. CrossWind is yours with all due love, loyalty, and respect.
Copyright (c) 2008 CrossWind Ministry
